Soon it will be time for me to go. But before I do, I want to share some thoughts. It's been an honor to be your President. I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve. One of the things about the Presidency is that you're always moving so quickly. You spend considerable time concentrating on the nuts and bolts of running the Chapter when you know the focus should be on strategic planning. So many times I wanted to put on the brakes but had to keep moving forward. 

The sweet part is the golf and the friends. I will always cherish the friendships I have made through this organization. The journey has been challenging, and together, we are reaching our destination, although sometimes the challenges seem complex. As long as we believe in ourselves, the future will always be ours.

We are here to perpetuate something wonderful and there's no telling where it will end. The doors are open to anyone with the will and the heart to get there. We can and will make a difference. Together we are better.  A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made a difference.

And so, good-bye.

Lori

Lori Baker
EWGA Los Angeles Chapter President

Congratulations to our new Chapter Officers:

 

Debbie Dakouzlian              President

Julie Armstrong                  Vice President

Jennie Redner                    Secretary

 

And continuing for one more year:

Karen Katzbeck                  Treasurer

 

The term for new officers begins October 1, 2007, but there will be a flurry of activity during the month of September in support of the "changing of the guard".  We thank Lori Baker, our current President, for all her long hours of service and leadership these past two years.  Lori, we all salute you for a job well done!

 

During September, out-going officers and Committee Chairs will team with in-coming officers and Committee Chairs to assure a smooth transition.  This is a new step in the election process this year, designed to prevent anything from falling through the cracks.  In a business environment, we would call this "passing the baton"; but a better golf vision might be "alternate shot" play !

 

Overall, the election process this year has been efficient and effective, thanks to the diligent and creative efforts of the Nominating Committee.  Let's give a big thank you to Julie Armstrong, Vickie Camper, Teri Esteban and Roberta Kantola.  From beginning the process of seeking nominations in May, to certifying the election results in August, you have each worked tirelessly and as a cohesive team to keep us on schedule.  You Rock, Ladies !! 

 

If you haven't had a chance to get involved with one of our dynamic committees, I'd encourage each of you to check out the Leadership section of our website for opportunities.  There you'll find a few quick sentences about what each committee contributes to our overall Chapter golfing experience.  Even if you only have an hour a month, that hour could be spent in making a call or sending an email - it could be the personal touch in a new member's welcome feeling.  So, please give it some thought, and contact me with your ideas or suggestions, and above all, volunteer to make a difference in 2008.

 

Sharon Wertz,  EWGA-LA Leadership Chair

18 Hole Outings:

Sunday, September 23rd - Sierra Lakes Golf Course, Fontana. 

Sign-up deadline extended to September 12th!  Sierra Lakes has creeks and lakes along its fairways, however, you also need to be on the watch here for tricky bunkers, rocks and desert brush areas. It's worth the drive - east on the 210 Freeway. This course is always fun - huge greens and in good shape. 
  SPORG Online Registration

EVENTS RECAP

 

9 is Enough, Little Rec Golf Course:  17 members and 3 guests played the August 11^th event at Little Rec in Long Beach, 9 holes of challenging golf at this executive course.  Lowest putts was won by Lori Baker (14); the Chip-in prize was won by Kathy Malmfeldt and Barbara Trivison.  A small group stayed for the apres golf networking and socializing. which was remarkable because the day started out with a   Many thanks to Barbara Trivison for hosting this event and keeping everyone entertained during the one hour delay while the Men's Club finished their Championship round.

Rec Park, Long Beach:  24 members attended the August 25^th outing at Rec Park, where the highlight of the day was Karen Krull's fantastic hole-in-one on the 98-yard 5^th hole. Karen, our Chapter Handicap Chair, used an 8 iron for her fabulous feat. Excited screams & yells could be heard several holes away!  A couple of groups earlier, Lauren Suzuki had holed out on #4 from about 130 yards, for an eagle.  Great playing, ladies!  The weather was mild and overcast much of the day, with a brief shower about 10 minutes before the first tee-off.  Big winners for the day were Karen - with her hole-in-one, she qualified for the "Chip-in" $$$, which she shared with Lauren Suzuki, Michelle Haag, Roberta Kantola and Jayne Geisler, and her shot was on the "Closest to the Pin" hole (can't get any closer than that!), and Tomi Spor (our Sectional Champ!), who had the Longest Drive on Hole 17 and fewest putts (29).  Almost everyone stayed afterwards to enjoy the drinks (paid by Karen, seated on the left in the photo, in the time-honored tradition for hole-in-one achievers to buy the celebratory beverages).  Congratulations to all, and thanks to Maureen Kelly for hosting.

Santa Barbara Women's Open:  This two-day amateur competition features players from all over the state.  Competition consisted of two days of 18 holes at Sandpiper and the Santa Barbara Golf Course.  Many golf courses and clubs were represented, including EWGA Chapters from L.A., Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs-Desert Cities and Orange County.  

Our Chapter was represented by 7 participants: Linda Kueny in the Gold Flight (Handicaps 12.4-16.9), Judy Pachciarz, and Julie Armstrong in the Silver Flight (17.3-24.1) and Chris Devine-Dailey, Mary Ellen Knowles, Barbara Trivison and Karen Katzbeck in the Copper Flight (24.4-33).  Linda won low net in the Gold Flight and Karen won low gross in the Copper Flight.  Karen also managed closest to the pin twice, once at Sandpiper and once at Santa Barbara Golf Club. 

Everyone had a great time...in spite of the smoke and ash from the nearby forest fire, especially on Thursday when it was dark all day...the sun was orange and it "snowed" all day.  The cars were covered with ash both mornings when the players woke up and they had to brush the ash out of their hair and clothing after finishing on Thursday.  Judy P. brought her dogs Nickie & Abby along for the trip, and everyone got to meet them after the tournament.  Mary Ellen got to play, over the course of the 2 days, with all the winners in the Copper flight - Low Gross and five Low Net winners, but she said apparently none of their technique "rubbed off"!!:)  Well done, ladies!  Thanks to all who participated and special kudos to Linda & Karen.  Complete results can be found on the Santa Barbara Women's Open Website,and photos will be posted on our web site soon.

The Wednesday Night at Whitsett League wrapped up its 2007 Summer Season on September 5th first with golf and then an Awards Banquet at Gaucho Grill in Studio City.  The League met each Wednesday from the beginning of June until the first week in September.  There were many new members this year, some new players, some more experienced but all with a passion for golf!
Whitsett is a nine hole par 27 course perfect for improving your short game.  Most weeks we had 15 players and we played in some hot Valley heat the last few weeks!  Each Wednesday we had a $1 pool either for low putts, low score,
closest to the pin or chip-ins.  And not to leave anyone out, we also had pools for high score and high putts. 

At the awards banquet, prizes went to Susan Watkins and Lisa Lobue for low score of 32 and low putts went to Leslie Wallsteadt and Roberta Kantola for low putts at 12.  Some other prizes given were most chip-ins in a single game (Jean Rouda), most pars (Barbara Trivison), Most Honest Scorekeeper (Joann Klonowski) and Most Improved Golfer (Miriam Begg).  We will miss our weekly golf game and are already looking forward to next June!